Breeders have a lot to observe when they have a new litter: health, structure, and temperament. And Labrador Retriever breeder Debby Kay keeps close tabs on another factor she considers crucial — how the pups use their noses. Kay has been a pioneer in scent-detection work for more than 40 years. Many of her Chilbrook […]

In 1939, a million Americans a year paid admission to attend AKC shows exhibiting over 100,000 dogs across the country. The mightiest events, Westminster and Morris & Essex, reported record-setting entry numbers during the 1930s that have still never been topped. Savvy publicity efforts and new AKC publications brought the formerly closed-circuit world of purebred dog breeding and exhibition to the American public, who clamored for more. […]

Each month the American Kennel Club profiles breeders to hear how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with Success Kennel’s Nancy Sedlacek, who breeds Portuguese Water Dogs. Nancy is an AKC Breeder of Merit and her dogs are among the top ranked in the country with […]

Seventeen-year-old Isabella Ruffoni from Gilroy, CA is a third-generation dog show handler, but didn't get involved in the sport until she was 15.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away … A young aspiring filmmaker owned a dog. She was just a pet, but this big, fuzzy friend would turn out to be one of the most influential animals, ever. As the filmmaker, George Lucas, tells it, here’s what happened. “I had an Alaskan Malamute […]

Preparing the sweet, gentle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to follow good behavior guidelines isn't tricky. This graceful, fun-loving toy spaniel only wants to please you. With some planning, persistence, and a positive outlook, your puppy quickly takes to training. Sandy Harrison, Recording Secretary of the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, acquired her first Cavalier […]

English Springer Spaniels were originally bred to flush game from the brush. Today they are tireless in the field but happy to relax after a long day out.

Nexpa and Holly Webb had a busy week at the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog of America National Specialty in Loveland, Colo., in September 2015. On this day — the Independent Specialty — she was awarded the second highest award for female champions in the ring in a field of over 100. During the week, the […]

Lori Wells, of Lancaster, Calif., and her search-and-rescue partner, Piglet, take a break during a deployment in the Las Vegas area. This is the second of a series of features on 2017's AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence Winners. There is nothing about the name "Piglet" or "Catahoula Leopard Dog" that would suggest an […]

Sometimes it’s the journey, not the goal. And it took a devastating event, plus a bag of tricks, to show me that. My goal was to break yet another record with my Saluki, Pepe. He was already a Best in Show, National Specialty Best of Breed, Best in Field (Coursing), and High in Trial (both […]